Dunfermline 2 Morton 1
Saturday, 10th Dec 2016Ladbrokes Championship: Conner Duthie and Michael Moffat come in for Lewis Martin and Farid El Alagui. Michael Moffat (12) 1-0: Michael Moffat (23) 2-0: Aidan Nesbitt (43) 2-1
For the visit of Morton Allan Johnston made two changes from the eleven that started against Ayr United the previous week. Conner Duthie came in for the suspended Lewis Martin and and Michael Moffat made his 100th appearance for the Pars replacing the out of luck Farid El Alagui alongside Nicky Clark.
Jim Duffy made three changes from his cup side against Beith Juniors, Gavin Gunning returned and Aidan Nesbitt and Andy Murdoch replaced Lee Kilday and Ricki Lamie. The Greenock side arrived at East End Park having lost just one of their last ten Championship matches and it was them who kicked off attacking the goal at the McCathie Stand end.
It was a fairly quiet start from both sides and there was even greater silence when referee Stephen Finnie awarded the visitors a penalty within five minutes. It was for a fairly tame tackle from Callum Fordyce on Jai Quitongo on the edge of the box but there was a huge roar when Sean Murdoch went to his right and held Tom O`Ware`s spot kick.
Morton pushed again however and Murdoch pulled off another fine save to deny Quitongo. The subsequent corner caused further problems but Lee Ashcroft dived in to make a significant block.
John Herron got in the home side`s first serious attempt on goal but his eighth minute shot was blocked by keeper Derek Gaston`s feet. Then fourth minutes later Christmas came early for Moff. A weak pass back to his keeper from right back Jamie McDonough allowed MOFFAT to nip in and show good control to stick the ball into the Morton net. 1-0
There were appeals for a 16th minute penalty when Clark beat two men before going down in the right side of the box but his tackler quite cleanly came away with the ball. The visitors were awarded an 18th minute free kick 35 yards out and Ross Forbes tried the unexpected playing Gary Oliver in on the extreme right of the Pars box. The Morton striker did get away a shot but it was high.
Morton`s Christmas spirit reappeared in 23 minutes when Mark Russell hit a weak pass back from the left touchline that was never going to reach his keeper. MOFFAT ran on to the ball and placed it under the keeper to find the net at the far post. 2-0
Paul McMullan made a powerful run down the left and when he shot from just inside the penalty box the ball came back off Andy Murdoch`s hand but no penalty!
Higginbotham to Herron and Morton concede a 28th minute corner from the right. Callum Fordyce met that but his header went wide left. Next Herron sent Higginbotham away on the right and his cut back was perfect for Clark to drive on target but the ball was blocked. Moffat was then denied a third goal when Gaston pulled off a fine save.
There was a lengthy stoppagevon 33 minutes after Quitongo was injured as he attacked the ball on the right side of the Pars box. Murdoch took the ball but the Morton player looked to be in some agony and Kudus Oyenuga replaced him.
Dunfermline were next to threaten Higginbotham slipping an inviting ball through for Moffat but the defence did its job. The half came to a bad end with the Fifers conceding a goal in 43 minutes. McDonough exchanged passes with Forbes deep down the right before brushing aside Herron to get in on goal. His shot was blocked but Aidan NESBITT reacted fastest and slotted the ball home. 2-1
Half time: Dunfermline 2 Morton 1
Nat Wedderburn came on for John Herron before the second half started. The on loan Blackpool player had taken two nasty first half knocks on his ankle. Morton immediately created a good opportunity with Nesbitt getting the better of Duthie on the far left and centring the ball for Talbot to clear off the line.
It looked like the Pars were going to receive yet another gift in 50 minutes after McMullan`s screamer of a shot from 20 yards went through Gaston but he turned to grasp the ball before it dropped over his line.
Two minutes later Murdoch had to pull off a good stop to prevent Kudus Oyenuga scoring from eight yards and then Duthie stepped in to get the ball away. Higginbotham stole away from a Morton corner but having picked out McMullan the man in the bright boots tried to beat one defender too many and the chance was gone.
Oliver made fruitless appeals for a penalty after Ashcroft halted his progress and then after Ryan Williamson replaced Duthie a Morton corner ended with a clash of heads. A 61st minute free kick was pumped in by Higginbotham but Ashcroft`s header went well wide right.
Five minutes later Wedderburn`s challenge on McDonough gave Morton a chance from a free kick on the right but that was easily defended and it was back to the other end where Williamson`s cross for Moffat was despatched into the McCathie but the Pars corner was no better than Morton`s.
Williamson then forced McDonough into conceding a 70th minute corner after fine individual skills that took him past two opponents to cross. Wedderburn collected a yellow for taking the feet away from Tidser and Williamson was penalised for cutting down his man on the other flank. Both free kicks were suitably defended before the Pars had a chance from one of their own after McDonough`s tackle on Clark had earned him a yellow card. Higginbotham sent the effort across the face of the goal and out for a goal kick.
Clark had fans on their feet ready to celebrate a third Pars goal in 79 minutes but after he connected well from McCabe`s delivery Gaston got down to save with his right hand just inside the post.
Clark required the physiology on two minutes later as he injured himself in a challenge that handed Forbes a chance to send in a dangerous ball from the setpiece but the Greenock men were caught offside. Back at the other end Clark sent the ball wide left for McMullan but Morton stopped the cross.
Farid El Alagui came on as an 84th minute sub for Nicky Clark but Morton were not for giving in easily. Forbes powered a shot from 25 yards that Ashcroft headed away but really after that the Fife defence saw the match out with very little difficulty.
A great three points that takes Dunfermline into seventh place and a win at Dumfries next Saturday could lift them another place. Sean Murdoch was awarded the Man of the Match award and his penalty save and subsequent saves certainly enabled the Pars to win the day.
SUBS NOT USED: Michael Paton, Joe Cardle, Gavin Reilly, David Hutton (GK)
SCORERS: Moffat (12, 23)
YELLOW CARD: Herron (30), Higginbotham (65), Wedderburn (73)
MORTON: Derek Gaston: Jamie McDonagh, Tom O`Ware, Gavin Gunning, Mark Russell: Jamie Lindsay (Michael Tidser 12), Andy Murdoch (Caolan McAleer 76), Ross Forbes, Aidan Nesbitt: Gary Oliver, Jai Quitongo (Kudus Oyenuga 36)
SUBS NOT USED: Lee Kilday, Ricki Lamie, Michael Doyle, Andy McNeil (GK).
SCORERS: Nesbitt (43)
YELLOW CARD: Gunning (31), Tidser (61), McDonough (75)
REFEREE: Stephen Finnie
WEATHER: Dull 9C
ATTENDANCE 3101
NEXT MATCH: SPFL Championship (away) v Queen of the South, Saturday 17th December 2016 kick off 3.00pm at Palmerston Park
50/50 Half time draw winner no.72698 won £779
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Dunfermline 2-1 Morton
Sat, 10th Dec 2016
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Preview Morton
Saturday, 10th Dec 2016Ladbrokes Championship: Saturday 10th December, 3.00pm kick off at East End Park
Dunfermline have found it tough winning points in this Championship season and although they welcome another home fixture the shape of the visitors is something to fear. Morton have lost only one of their last ten Championship matches and they have won the last five matches against the Pars.
Morton have already defeated the Pars at Cappielow and so hopefully at East End Park it will be revenge this time. .
|
Pars v Morton: The Full League Record |
||||||
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
|
At |
45 |
24 |
9 |
12 |
86 |
54 |
|
At
Cappielow |
45 |
17 |
12 |
16 |
56 |
54 |
|
TOTALS |
90 |
41 |
21 |
28 |
142 |
108 |
Morton have won just twelve times in 45 visits to East End Park and the Pars hold the upper hand with 41 wins in the 90 league meetings. .
|
Milestones v Morton (Home) |
|||
|
Last League Victory |
14/08/10 |
2-0 |
SFL |
|
Last League Defeat |
28/03/15 |
0-4 |
League One |
|
Best League Victory |
29/01/66 |
6-0 |
Div 1* |
|
Worst League Defeat |
28/03/15 |
0-4 |
League One |
|
*Pre league reconstruction |
|||
Of the last twelve league meetings Morton have won nine, one has been drawn and just two have been won by Dunfermline.
| Last Twelve Matches v Morton | ||||
| 17-09-16 | A | L | 1-2 | Championship |
| 02-03-16 | H | L | 0-4 | League One |
| 24-01-15 | A | L | 0-2 | League One |
| 25-10-14 | H | L | 1-2 | League One |
| 20-09-14 | A | L | 1-2 | League One |
| 13-04-13 | A | W | 1-0 | Scottish Division One |
| 23-02-13 | H | L | 1-4 | Scottish Division One |
| 29-12-12 | A | L | 2-4 | Scottish Division One |
| 22-10-12 | H | D | 2-2 | Scottish Division One |
| 30-04-11 | A | W | 2-0 | Scottish Division One |
| 05-03-11 | H | L | 1-3 | Scottish Division One |
| 06-11-10 | A | L | 1-2 | Scottish Division One |
Last Match v Morton
Saturday 17th September 2016
The first meeting this season was seven weeks ago at Cappielow. Gary Oliver broke away to open the scoring in 24th minute, Nicky Clark equalised six minutes later but Jai Quitongo hit the winner with just six minutes remaining.
Allan Johnston said of the game:-
"I think they had three shots and scored from two. That kind of sums up our last few games, we are getting punished for everything just now but there are no excuses. We are miles better than that, we never played as well as what we could do."
MORTON: Andy McNeil: Lee Kilday (Jamie Lindsay 27), Tom O`Ware, Gavin Gunning, Michael Doyle, Aidan Nesbitt (Scott Tiffoney 73), Jamie McDonagh, Ross Forbes, Jai Quitongo, Gary Oliver (Tom Orr 90), Kudus Oyenuga
SUBS NOT USED: Jon Scullion, Ciaran McAleer, Lewis Strapp, Jamie McGowan (GK)
DUNFERMLINE: David Hutton, Lee Ashcroft, Callum Fordyce, Ben Richards-Everton, Lewis Martin, Michael Paton (Kallum Higginbotham 66), Andy Geggan (c), Rhys McCabe, Paul McMullan (Joe Cardle 54), Gavin Reilly (Farid El Alagui 79), Nicky Clark.
SUBS NOT USED: Ryan Williamson, John Herron, Michael Moffat, Sean Murdoch (GK)
Standings
| Dunfermline . | Morton |
| Current League Position | |
| 9 | 4 |
| League Points | |
| 13 | 23 |
| Goal Difference | |
| -8 | +6 |
| Last 6-Match Form | |
| DLLWWD | WWDWDW |
| Home / Away League Record | |
| P7, W2, D2, L3 | P7, W2, D2, L3 |
Since the sides last met Morton have played twelve, won eight, drawn two and lost two (to Dundee United and Aberdeen). . Dunfermline have played twelve, won four, drawn four and lost four.
| .Form last six matches | ||||||
| . Dunfermline | . | . Morton | ||||
| . Ayr United (H) | D | 1-1 | . Beith Juniors (A) | W | 6-0 | |
| . .Buckie Thistle (A) | W | 5-3 | . Dundee United (H) | D | 0-0 | |
| . St Mirren (A) | W | 1-0 | . Dumbarton (A) | W | 2-0 | |
| . Dundee United (H) | L | 0-1 | . Falkirk (A) | D | 1-1 | |
| . Dundee United (A) | L |
0-1 |
. | . St Mirren (H) | W | 3-1 |
| . Raith Rovers (H) | D |
0-0 |
. | . Ayr United (H) | W | 2-1 |
Last Time Out
DUNFERMLINE (v Ayr United): Sean Murdoch: Lewis Martin, Callum Fordyce (c), Lee Ashcroft, Jason Talbot: Kallum Higginbotham, John Herron, Rhys McCabe, Paul McMullan: Nicky Clark (Michael Moffat 71), Farid El Alagui (Conner Duthie 51)
SUBS NOT USED: Nat Wedderburn, Michael Paton, Joe Cardle, Lewis Spence, David Hutton (GK)
MORTON (v Beith Juniors): Derek Gaston. Lee Kilday, Tom O`Ware, Ricki Lamie, Mark Russell: Jamie Lindsay, Ross Forbes (Caolan McAleer 83), Michael Tidser (Aidan Nesbitt 86), Jamie McDonagh, Gary Oliver, Jai Quitongo (Kudus Oyenuga 74)
SUBS NOT USED: Gavin Gunning, Michael Doyle, Andy Murdoch, Andy McNeil (GK).
Referee will be Stephen Finnic.
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